Pressure actuated trigger assembly for mixing dual liquids

ABSTRACT

An aerosol type spray can having a liquid under pressure includes a second liquid in the form of a catalyst housed in a second container within the can. A guide tube with a ball is positioned in the can, a portion of the guide tube communicating with the outlet spray nozzle such that actuation of the spray nozzle causes the liquid under pressure in the can to pass up through the guide tube. This action moves the ball through the guide tube, the momentum of the ball striking a trigger which effects removal of the top of the second container so that the catalyst can mix with the liquid in the can.

United States Patent Cronan NOV. 20, 1973 PRESSURE ACTUATED TRIGGER ASSEMBLY FOR MIXING DUAL LIQUIDS Philip J. Cronan, 425 S. Williams Dr., Los Angeles, Calif.

Filed: Oct. 24, 1972 Appl. No.: 300,213

Inventor:

US. Cl 239/304, 239/308, 222/145 Int. Cl. B67c 5/56, B670 5/54, BOSb 9/04 Field of Search 239/304, 308, 309;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1971 Cronan 239/304 2/1973 Cronan 239/304 X Primary ExaminerRobert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney-Pastoriza & Kelly [57] ABSTRACT An aerosol type spray can having a liquid under pressure includes a second liquid in the form of a catalyst housed in a second container within the can. A guide tube with a ball is positioned in the can, a portion of the guide tube communicating with the outlet spray nozzle such that actuation of the spray nozzle causes the liquid under pressure in the can to pass up through the guide tube. This action moves the ball through the guide tube, the momentum of the ball striking a trigger which effects removal of the top of the second container so that the catalyst can mix with the liquid in the can.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PRESSURE ACTUATED TRIGGER ASSEMBLY FOR MIXING DUAL LIQUIDS This invention relates to mixing of first and second liquids normally held in a separated state and more par ticularly to a trigger assembly responsive to a partial relieving of the pressure of one of the liquids for placing the two liquids in communication with each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While the present invention is useful in any situation wherein it is desired to mix two liquids or fluids which are normally maintained in a separated condition, the preferred embodiment will be described in conjunction with aerosol type cans such as used for spraying paint and the like wherein a catalyst constitutes one of the liquids to be maintained separate from the resin or other liquid until such time as a spraying operation is to take place.

I-Ieretofore, it has been proposed to form a can containing at least two compartments which are sealed from each other. The catalysts and resinous materials are placed in the compartments respectively and caused to be mixed immediately prior to use.

In my U. S. Pat. No. 3,591,089 issued July 6, 1971 there is described and claimed a portable spray means for dual liquids wherein first and second containers are provided, the second container being disposed in the first container and an inertial mass being incorporated in the second container to shatter the second container by shaking the first container. The catalyst in the second container can then mix with resin in the first container. While this device works well, there is the possibility of undue shaking of the can which might shatter the interior container prior to actual use.

In my co-pending patent application Ser. No. 207,369 filed Dec. 13, 1971, and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,235 there is described and claimed a spring trigger means for opening the second container so that the liquids can be mixed without actually shattering the second container and wherein more positive control of the time when the liquids are to be mixed is realized. There still exists the possibility, however, of inadvertent actuation of the trigger which could cause mixing prior to the time when the ingrediants are to be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE-PRESENT INVENTION The present invention has to do with a trigger assembly for aerosol type spray cans such as those described in my above referred to United States patent and copending application, but wherein the possibilities of inadvertent mixing prior to actual use are substantially eliminated.

More particularly, the present invention contemplates a unique triggering means which is responsive only to a partial releasing of the pressure under which one of the liquids in the container is maintained. This releasing of the pressure is effected only by actual operation of the spray valve so that the desired mixing of the ingrediants will only occur when the user is ready to use the can.

In its preferred form, there is provided a first container holding a liquid under pressure. and a second container held within the first container which is closed by a spring loaded top and which holds the catalyst. An inertial mass is provided in the first container with suitable guide means for guiding movement of the mass along a given path in response to releasing part of the liquid under pressure from the first container, the liquid urging the mass along the path. Trigger means are positioned to be impacted by the mass to open the second container by releasing the spring loaded top so that the liquids can be mixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding-of the invention will be had by now referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective of a typical aerosol type spray can incorporating the novel pressure actuated trigger assembly of the present invention; and,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cutaway elevational view showing details of the trigger assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a typical spray can 10 with the usual push button 11 for actuating a spray valve 12. A first liquid under pressure within the container 10 as indicated at 13 is caused to pass out the nozzle 14 when the valve 12 is open by depression of the button 11.

As shown, there is provided a second container 15 for holding a second liquid 16 which would normally constitute a catalyst to be mixed with the first liquid 13 in the first container 10. The second container 15 may be supported as by a bracket 17. A closure member in the form of a spring loaded cover or top 18 normally holds the liquid catalyst 16 in the second container 15 separated from the liquid 13 in the first container.

The pressure actuated trigger assembly forms an extension of the delivery tube 19 connecting to the valve 12 and nozzle 14 in the first container 10. As shown, this assembly includes a guide tube 20 of diameter larger than the diameter of the delivery tube 19 and having one end open to the liquid 13, an inertial mass in the form of a ball 21 being disposed in the guide tube at this one end. The other end portion of the guide tube terminates in a curved portion 22, the delivery tube 19 communicating with the guide tube 20 at a side of the curved portion 22.

With the foregoing arrangement, it will be evident that opening of the valve 20 will result in the first liquid 13 under pressure passing up through the guide tube in a manner to urge the inertial mass or ball 21 along the guide tube, the momentum of the mass carrying it through the curved portion 22.

Referring now to the enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 2, it will be noted that the spring loaded top 18 of the second container 15 includes a hinge 23 at one edge portion thereof, there being provided a strong internal spring 24 in the neck of the container 15 bearing against the cover 18 in a manner tending to swing it about the hinge 23. Also shown is a catch means in the form of a member 25 having a portion on one side of its pivot mounting 26 overlying a diametrically opposite portion of the top 18 from the hinge point 23 when pivoted to one position. The portion of the member below the pivot 26 is indicated at 27 and is disposed adjacent to the end of the curved portion of the guide tube 20.

A trigger means at the curved end portion of the' guide tube 20 takes the form of a plunger 28 having a plunger portion extending from the end of the curved portion in a position to engage the portion 27 of the pivot member 25. The plunger 28 is spring biased inwardly as indicated.

The assembly is completed by a ball check means in the form of a flexible leaf spring 29 in the curved portion 22 of the guide tube such that when the ball 21 passes through the curved portion, it rides over the spring 29, the spring 29 then popping up to hold the ball in the curved portion.

The container 15 incorporating the catalyst may inelude an additional ball as indicated at 30.

OPERATION In operation, a conventional type aerosol spray can may be utilized without any alteration. Further, most of the components of the conventional spray nozzle, push button and valve can also be utilized, the only difference being the connection of the delivery tube 19 into the side of the curved portion of the guide tube 20. The components making up this assembly may be inserted through the bottom of the can or through the top by removing the top cover. In this respect, the second container 15 may be inserted through the top after the guide tube 20 has been positioned in the can and the second container then clipped to the bracket 17.

After assembly of the components, the can or first container is filled with a first liquid, the catalyst or second liquid to be ultimately mixed with the first liquid already being provided in the second container and tightly sealed therein by the spring loaded top 18. The catch means in the form of a pivoted member 25 is in the solid line position illustrated in FIG. 2 in order guide tube 20 it is very difficult to cause the ball 21 to strike inadvertently the plunger 28. On the other hand, when it is desired to actually use the can all the operator has to do is depress the button 11 to release part of the pressure of the first liquid 13.

Thus, in the actual operation, depressing the button 1 1 will place the delivery tube 19 and the interior of the guide tube 20 in communication with the atmosphere, the high pressure liquid 13 then immediately passing up through the bottom of the guide tube 20 to pass out the nozzle 14. The rapid flow of this pressurizedliquid will carry the ball 21 along the guide tube 20, the momentum of the ball carrying it through the curved portion to strike the plunger 28 as indicated at dotted lines at 21 in FIG. 2. Striking of this plunger will cause the plunger end extending from the end of the curved portion to hit the portion 27 of the pivoted member thereby pivoting the member to the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 2 and thus releasing the cover 18 so that it is free to swing about the pivot 23 by action of the spring 24. The liquid 16 is thus placed in communication with the first liquid 13 and when the can is inverted, the two liquids can be readily mixed. In this respect, the additional ball 30 will fall from the second container 15 when it is inverted and its rattling sound within the first container 10 will indicate to the user that the liquids are in communication with each other.

It should be noted that the strong spring 24 will hold the cover 18 in its open position as indicated at 18' so 1 29 in the curved portion of the guide tube will retain the ball 21 in the curved portion so that it will not interfere with free flow of liquid through the initial portion of the guide tube and out through the delivery tube 19.

The particular catch member cooperating with the top 18' operates similarly to a mouse trap wherein only a small amount of force is necessary to trigger the arrangement so that the strong spring can take over and effect opening of the second container. Since it is really only practical to move the ball 21 through the curved portion of the tube by means of the liquid pressure, there is very little risk of any inadvertent triggering of the device. In otherwords, an intentional depression of the button is necessary to enable utilization of the pressure of the liquid to move the ball and thus effect the desired mixing of the two liquids.

While the term liquids has been used to describe the ingrediants in the respective containers, it should be understood that fluids, gases or equivalent materials under pressure could be controlled in a similar manner.

What is claimed is:

1. A pressure actuated trigger assembly for mixing dual liquids normally held in separate states wherein one of said liquids is under pressure, said assembly including:

a. a trigger assembly responsive to an impact to place said liquids in communication with each other;

b. an inertial mass; and,

c. means responsive to a releasing of the pressure of said one liquid to move said mass in a direction to impact said trigger assembly.

2. A pressure actuated trigger assembly for mixing dual liquids wherein one liquid in under pressure in a first container and the other liquid is in a second container held within the first container, said assembly ineluding:

a. an inertial mass in said first container;

b. guide means for guiding movement of said mass along a given path in response to releasing part of said liquid under pressure from said first container, said liquid urging said mass along said path; and,

c. trigger means positioned to be impacted by said mass to open said second container so that the liquids can be mixed.

3.An assembly according to claim 2, in which said guide means includes a tube having an open end immersed in said liquid and its other end adapted to be opened to atmosphere so that said part of said liquid is released through said tube thereby urging said mass through said tube, said second container having a 1 spring loaded closure member held in place by a catch positioned to be actuated by said trigger means when impacted by said'mass to release said closure member and thereby opens said second container.

4. A pressure actuated trigger assembly for mixing dual liquids wherein one liquid is under pressure in a first container and the other liquid comprises a catalyst in a second container held within said first container and wherein there is a spray head incorporating a'spray nozzle and valve on said first container and which includes a delivery tube extending into the container for passing the liquid under pressure out of the nozzle, said assembly including:

a. a guide tube of larger diameter than said delivery tube having one end open to the liquid in said container and its other end terminating in a curved portion, said delivery tube connecting into the side of the curved portion;

b. said second container having a spring loaded top and catch means normally holding said top on said container disposed adjacent to the end of said curve portion of said guide tube;

c. an inertial mass in said guide tube adjacent to said one end such that opening of said valve will result in said liquid under pressure passing through said guide tube in a manner to urge said inertial mass along said guide tube, the momentum of said mass carrying it through the curved portion; and,

d. trigger means at said end of said curved portion of said guide tube positioned to be impacted by said mass, said trigger means releasing said catch means upon impact by said mass whereby the top of said second container is opened so that the liquids in said containers can be mixed.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, in which said trigger assembly includes a plunger member having a plunger portion extending from the end of said curved portion of said guide tube so that it is urged outwardly when impacted by said mass, said spring loaded top being hinged at one point to said second container and said catch means comprising a member pivoted to a diametrically opposite point to said container, a portion of said member on one side of the pivot point engaging the top to hold it in position when the member is pivoted in one direction, said plunger striking a portion of the member on the opposite side of said pivot to thereby pivot the member in a direction to release the tops so that the spring loaded top can swing open about said hinge.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, in which said inertial mass comprises a ball, said curved portion of the guide tube including a ball check means for holding the ball in the curved portion of the guide tube after it has impacted the plunger, and in which said second container includes an additional ball which is released when said second container is opened so that a user is apprised by shaking of the first container that the liquids are in communication with each other. 

1. A pressure actuated trigger assembly for mixing dual liquids normally held in separate states wherein one of said liquids is under pressure, said assembly including: a. a trigger assembly responsive to an impact to place said liquids in communication with each other; b. an inertial mass; and, c. means responsive to a releasing of the pressure of said one liquid to move said mass in a direction to impact said trigger assembly.
 2. A pressure actuated trigger assembly for mixing dual liquids wherein one liquid in under pressure in a first container and the other liquid is in a second container held within the first container, said assembly including: a. an inertial mass in said first container; b. guide means for guiding movement of said mass along a given path in response to releasing part of said liquid under pressure from said first container, said liquid urging said mass along said path; and, c. trigger means positioned to be impacted by said mass to open said second container so that the liquids can be mixed.
 3. An assembly according to claim 2, in which said guide means includes a tube having an open end immersed in said liquid and its other end adapted to be opened to atmosphere so that said part of said liquid is released through said tube thereby urging said mass through said tube, said second container having a spring loaded closure member held in place by a catch positioned to be actuated by said trigger means when impacted by said mass to release said closure member and thereby opens said second container.
 4. A pressure actuated trigger assembly for mixing dual liquids wherein one liquid is under pressure in a first container and the other liquid comprises a catalyst in a second container held within said first container and wherein there is a spray head incorporating a spray nozzle and valve on said first container and which includes a delivery tube extending into the container for passing the liquid under pressure out of the nozzle, said assembly including: a. a guide tube of larger diameter than said delivery tube having one end open to the liquid in said container and its other end terminating in a curved portion, said delivery tube connecting into the side of the curved portion; b. said second container having a spring loaded top and catch means normally holding said top on said container disposed adjacent to the end of said curve portion of said guide tube; c. an inertial mass in said guide tube adjacent to said one end such that opening of said valve will result in said liquid under pressure passing through said guide tube in a manner to urge said inertial mass along said guide tube, the momentum of said mass carrying it through the curved portion; and, d. trigger means at said end of said curved portion of said guide tube positioned to be impacted by said mass, said trigger means releasing said catch means upon impact by said mass whereby the top of said second container is opened so that the liquids in said containers can be mixed.
 5. An assembly according to claim 4, in which said trigger assembly includes a plunger member having a plunger portion extending from the end of said curved portion of said guide tube so that it is urged outwardly when impacted by said mass, said spring loaded top being hinged at one point to said second container and said catch means comprising a member pivoted to a diametrically opposite point to said container, a portion of said member on one side of the pivot point engaging the top to hold it in position when the member is pivoted in one direction, said plunger striking a portion of the member on the opposite side of said pivot to thereby pivot the member in a direction to release the tops so that the spring loaded top can swing open about said hinge.
 6. An assembly according to claim 5, in whicH said inertial mass comprises a ball, said curved portion of the guide tube including a ball check means for holding the ball in the curved portion of the guide tube after it has impacted the plunger, and in which said second container includes an additional ball which is released when said second container is opened so that a user is apprised by shaking of the first container that the liquids are in communication with each other. 